Use a standard 52-card deck
Play with 4 players in partnerships, or 2 to 6 players in some variants
Deal all cards evenly if possible
Bid for the right to name trump and the number of tricks your side will take
Highest bid wins the contract
The bidder names the trump suit, or no trump
Lead the first card to start the first trick
Follow suit if you can
If you cannot follow suit, play any card
Highest trump card wins the trick if any trump is played
If no trump is played, highest card of the led suit wins the trick
Winner of each trick leads the next trick
Keep taking tricks and counting toward your bid
Score points if your side makes the bid
Lose points if your side fails to make the bid
Score extra for special bids and high contracts depending on the variant
Continue playing hands until one side reaches the target score, often 500 points
Use the agreed local rules for bidding, scoring, and special cards before starting